On politics in the Golden State

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoes state intervention in student suspensions

Even the leader of the state Senate can’t escape the governor’s veto pen.

That was clear Wednesday when Gov. Jerry Brown dismissed a bill on student discipline by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento).

Brown vetoed Steinberg’s SB 1235, which would have required the state Superintendent of Public Instruction each year to compile a list of schools that suspend a high percentage of students. It also would have invited the districts to attend meetings to discuss the problem.

Steinberg noted that California recorded 750,000 suspensions in 2009-10, and the actions have a disproportionate impact on minority students.

"The disproportionate use of suspension is a significant contributor to California's high dropout rates, which are highest among students of color," Steinberg wrote to his fellow legislators during their consideration of the measure.

But, Gov. Brown was not convinced it required state intervention.

"My preference is to leave the matter of student suspension to local school boards and the citizens who elect them," Brown wrote in his veto message.